Ryder Gabathuse
4 April 2008
Gaborone — There is every likelihood that former Health Minister Professor Sheila Tlou could return to her University of Botswana (UB) job at the end of the current political term. Speculation became rife after President Ian Khama's decision to drop Tlou and other four ministers from his Cabinet Tuesday this week.
The others are Moeng Pheto, Charles Tibone, Duncan Mlazie and Moggie Mbaakanyi. Tlou, who lost the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries for the Palapye constituency twice last December and early this January respectively, was still 'unsure' this week if she was going to contest the primaries billed for July 26 and August 30 this year.
Tlou can only make a political comeback if she wins the forthcoming primaries and ultimately win the Palapye constituency in a general election.
When Mmegi quizzed her about her possible step following her exit from the Cabinet this week Wednesday, she was still undecided. "I feel I should discuss these things with some of the people who matter first before I can make my final decision," she said. People who matter in Tlou's context include her parents, some close and distant family members of the Morakes. "Both of my parents are still alive. My caring husband and other important people, I will listen to their pieces of advice and chart the way forward," she said.
Tlou reminded everyone that she was still on leave of absence from the UB where she was a professor of Nursing Education. "I have that leeway of returning to UB and taking up my post and there are no problems with it if that is what I would settle for in the end," she explained.
Mmegi is also informed that the BDP National Council of last week has recommended that constituencies that recently held by-elections like Kgalagadi North and Palapye should not hold primaries again on July 26 and August 30. This could be tormenting to Tlou to the point that now she has no option but to return to her professional job.
The situation is even worsened by the fact that the new President Khama has reportedly 'supported' this view in the interest of progress and peace in the party given that the Palapye primaries threatened to split the party.
BDP executive secretary Dr Comma Serema said this week that the party Central Committee has been assigned to look at the issue of Palapye going to the primaries again. They would look at the merits and the demerits.
Unfortunately, he stated that the BDP National Council was not like the National Congress, which makes binding resolutions.
"As we speak, there is no conclusion in exception of Kgalagadi North where the party candidate was nominated for the 2009 general election before there was a by-election, which followed the departure of Obakeng Moumakwa."
Serema pointed out that if the ongoing talks Do not produce the desired results there would be primaries. He noted that even if Tlou might not stand, there would be other people interested to contest.
He did not want to believe that the reason that Tlou has been dropped from the Cabinet then it means she would not automatically contest.
Mmegi has also learnt that the BDP chairman Khama also raised a suggestion at the National Council last week that the areas that recently emerged from the by-elections should be excused from holding primaries again.
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